Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: sailors35 on February 14, 2022, 07:28:42 pm
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Strange thing happening. 12.6 volts at generator, but only get a click after priming. Start coach engine brings up voltage, generator starts. Perplexed as why 12.6 volts not enough. Checked connections all seems well. Ideas?
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Strange thing happening. 12.6 volts at generator, but only get a click after priming. Start coach engine brings up voltage, generator starts. Perplexed as why 12.6 volts not enough. Checked connections all seems well. Ideas?
You did good in checking your connections for corrosion and tightness.
Measure the voltage again, but on the battery terminals while you have someone else try starting the generator. If the voltage drops dramatically, that indicates the need for new house batteries.
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What Ron said, I agree. You might also want to check the frame ground behind the house battery slideout. Especially in a wet/salt air area like Florida corrosion can cause an issue.
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Strange thing happening. 12.6 volts at generator, but only get a click after priming. Start coach engine brings up voltage, generator starts. Perplexed as why 12.6 volts not enough. Checked connections all seems well. Ideas?
Hello from Space Coast Florida! hithere
Ron D gives good advice. Might be batteries. (nod)
You state that you are measuring the house battery voltage at the generator. Have someone try starting the generator while you observe the voltage. Does it drop below 11V? If so, do the same test but measuring the voltage at the battery terminals. If you measure the same voltage drop, then the battery (or batteries) is at fault. If there is a drop at the generator, but not at the battery, then connections are suspect.
Donc13 gives an excellent place to start looking should it test out to be a connection issue. 2o2
Should the voltage not drop much in either test, Check the voltage at the starter itself. Should this test not show any drop, it might be the starter itself. 12.6 volts might not be enough to get through old brushes, but the ~14.5V of the running engine is. If you can access the starter easily, try this as a last resort test- using the house batteries have someone try to start the generator. While they are trying, give the starter a firm tap with a small hammer or suitable object. If it suddenly starts, it is the starter for sure.
Good luck, and please post what you find! :)(:
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I agree with all the trouble shooting procedures listed above, the only thing is I believe is the starter solenoid is not integral to the starter. So you might want to ensure that there isn't a voltage drop due to pitted contacts of the starter relay. Just a thought....
Lance